2008: Listed as a starter at nose tackle on EWU's preseason depth chart.

2007: Earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference honors. Started 12 of 13 EWU games at left defensive tackle. He was the team's defensive player of the week against Montana-Western (8/31/07) when he had six tackles in his starting debut and versus Brigham Young (10/20/07) when he had four tackles. He also had six tackles versus Montana (10/13/07) and Appalachian State (12/1/07). Powell had the team's big play of the week once.

2006: Lettered as a backup defensive end. He had four tackles against both Central Washington (9/16/06) and Northern Arizona (10/28/06). He was credited with a half-sack versus NAU. He moved from tight end to defensive end in the spring, and had nine tackles with a pair of sacks in four spring scrimmages.

2005: Did not start, but played as a backup tight end. He caught three passes for 19 yards, catching one pass in each of EWU's first three games of the season.

2004: Redshirted.

HS: Graduated from Shadle Park HS in 2004. Earned first team All-Greater Spokane League honors as selected by The Spokesman-Review and was also a first team All-GSL National Division selection as selected by the league's head coaches. His younger brother Josh Powell ('05) is no longer with the team, but was a redshirt quarterback in 2005 for the Eagles. Josh was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in the Greater Spokane League, as well as the GSL National Division, in 2003 when Shawn was a senior.